Nutating nozzle



June 18, 1963 J. J.. cuLLEN ETAL.

NUTATING NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 29. 1960 June 18, 1963 .1.J.cULLEN ETAL NUTATING NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 29, 1960 www.

UV y/W Fig. 2.

United States Patent O 3,094,254 NUTATING NOZZLE James J. Cullen,Framingham, and Richard P. Stokes,

Malden, Mass., and Robin Mackay, Mercer Island,

Wash., assignors to W. R. Grace & Co., Cambridge,

Mass., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 11,5995 Claims. (Cl. Z22- 504) This invention relates to a nozzle adapted toapply gasket forming compositions to container closures and other metalparts and particularly adapted to place a ring or lining of such acomposition in small closures such as bottle crowns or caps.

The function of a nozzle in applying a gasket forming composition to ametal part is to apply a uniform stripe of such a composition to thedesired portion of the metal part. The composition is of such a naturethat it can later be transformed, usually by heat, into a solid gasket.Normally a needle valve nozzle has been used for this purpose, sincesuch a nozzle can provide a uniform flow of compound and can be adaptedto provide a quick and positive control of the initiation and cessationof llow of compound so necessary if areas of overlap or underlap wherethe end of the gasket meets the beginning is to be avoided.

Such a nozzle consists of a tip which also serves as a valve seat, acompound receiving passage which terminates at the tip, a needle whichpasses through the passage, one end of which is adapted to cooperatewith the valve seat in the nozzle tip, a valve actuating mechanism whichcooperates with the other end of the needle, a conduit for supplyingcompound to the compound receiving passage and means for actuating thevalve mechanism.

To apply the gasket forming composition at the proper place on the metalpart, the nozzle tip and the metal part necessarily must move relativeto each other. Normally this has been accomplished by moving the metalpart in a predetermined path beneath a stationary nozzle. Since mostsuch metal parts such as the ends for cans or caps for jars and bottlesrequire a circular lining this most usually has been accomplished byplacing the metal part on a rotating chuck and rotating the part beneaththe nozzle. In some instances it is not convenient tot rotate the partbecause of its size, shape or configuration. In such instances it hasbeen proposed to move the nozzle instead of the part. In one suchinstance, it has been proposed that the entire nozzle assembly be moved,but this proposal has not proved to be very satisfactory because of theweight of the entire assembly and because of the diiculties of providinga ilexible means of supplying the compound while maintaining a constantcompound pressure at the nozzle tip and means for actuating the nozzle.More recently it has been proposed to maintain the majority of theassembly in a stationary position and to rotate a nozzle tip having anoit-center outlet about the assembly. In connection with this proposalhowever, it has proved difiicult to provide a satisfactory, completelyfluid-tight, slip coupling to allow for the relative movement of the twoparts of the nozzle assembly.

The nozzle of the present invention avoids these diiculties by providinga stationary valve actuating mechanism and compound supply port, a.ilexible compound receiving passage and a nozzle tip which can be movedin a predetermined path without rotating relative to the re- Y forming acircular gasket on a metal part. The details of 3,094,254 Patented June18, 1963 ice the invention will be better understood by the reference tothe drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a sectional elevation of the nozzle of this invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a sectional elevation of an alternate form of the nozzleof this invention.

The nozzle assembly rests on a base 10 which is rigidly mounted on ametal pant transport device such as a conventional compound applyingmachine indicated at 11 by cap screws 12-12. The upper portion of base10 is threaded and is surrounded by a threaded collar 13, which engagesthe threads of base 10. This permits the collar 13 to be raised orlowered as the nature of the metal part demands. Collar 13 is locked inplace by set screw y114.

Bearing seat 15, into which an annular ball bearing `16 is pressed, issupported yby collar 13. The inner and outer races of ball bearing 16are retained by ring retainers 17. Drive ring 18 is force fitted intothe inner race of bearing 16. Drive r-ing 18 may be provided with adrive gear, or more conveniently with a pulley 20 adapted to receive atiming belt. The drive gear or drive pulley `is attached to the drivering 18 by screws 19 which engage tapped bores in ring 18. A drivingmotor (not shown) adapted to drive the drive gear or drive pulleythrough gear or belt means (not shown) may then be placed at someconvenient remote location.

The drive ring '18 incorporates an angular bore 21, the displacement ofwhich form the vertical axis is a variable depending on the diameter ofthe closure to be lined. For example, the departure from the verticalaxis is 10 if a common crown closure is to be lined. Bore 21 isshouldered at 22 to provide a stop for the outer race of radial ballbearing 23 which is pressed into the bore 21. The race of bearing 23 isheld by retainer 24.

Bridge 31, which forms a stationary support, is provided with the ports53, and a connecting, T-shaped fluid passage 30a. The bridge is fastenedto bearing seat 15, by the cap screws 33-33. A hose 29, is secured tothe bridge 31, by the jamb-nut 32. Hose bore 30 communicates with thevertical leg of passage 30a. Nozzle-tip 25, iits snugly into the innerrace 26, of bearing 23, and is provided with an axial bore 30b, whichterminates in a needle-valve seat 55, formed adjacent the exit orifice40. The upper portion of nozzle-tip 25, is connected to the lower end ofthe hose 29, by the jamb-nut 2S, which is threaded into the enlargedupper portion 27, of nozzle-tip 25. Thus, as shown in FIG. l, passage30a, hose bore 30, and passage 30b, together form a continuous path forfluid sealing compound which is delivered through a conduit connectingthe port 53, to an external pressurized source.

Proper height adjustment of the assembly is secured by the adjustablelegs 34 screwed onto studs 35-35 which project from the working face oftransport device 11. To make the adjustment, after the collar 113 hasbeen set (which determines the elevation of `bearing seat 15), the legs34 are run up until they just touch the bearing seat 15. Two check nuts36 (only one of which is shown), lock the legs 34 after the adjustmentis made.

Extension 37 forming a part of and rising above bridge 31 forms the basefor the valve actuating mechanism 3S and also houses shaft packing 39and packing follower 41, which is threaded into the extension 37.

The valve actuating mechanism 38 as shown comprises an air cylinder 42,provided with a piston 43, the travel of which is limited by adjustablestops 44 and 4-5 threaded into the actuating mechanism body. Air isadmitted (or exhausted) both above and below the piston through theports 46 and 47. Air vents l48--48 in both stops prevent the trapping ofair as the piston closes against each stop. Obviously, alternate valveactuating mechanisms may be employed.

Piston 43 is carried on piston rod 49. In the design as shown in FIGURE1, the rod, its flexible extension 51 and the needle 52 are formed froma single piece of a fatigue resistant alloy, such as a beryllium-copperalloy. Experience has shown that this alloy will withstand the fatigueof bending extremely well and, even when the nozzle tip revolves atspeeds up to 3600 r.p.m. for extended periods the needles give long,dependable service.

Alternatively since there is no rotary motion of needle 52 relative toextension 51 or rod 49, these three parts or any two of them may beformed of different materials and fastened together as by a threaded ora force it. For example, it is preferable to form the tip of needle 52of an abrasion resistant material such as a tungsten carbide.

Compound under an adjustable head pressure flows into the valve throughone or the other of the ports 53. The other of ports 53 is provided topermit the recirculation of compound which is desirable in connectionwith heated compounds. If not so used the second port may be plugged.Operating adjustments are simple. After the collar 13, and the legs 34,have been adjusted, as described above, to raise or to lower the heightof the nozzle tip 25, to suit the closure and to secure the placement ofthe lining compound which is desired, the volume of compound depositedon the closure is adjusted (l) by varying the head pressure on thecompound entering port 53 and (2) by changing the lift of the needle byraising or lowering the stop 45, then locking the stop with screw 54.Shut-oft is secured by adjusting the down stroke of piston 43 byadjusting the lower stop 44 to allow the needle to seat in conical seat55.

In the version of valve actuating mechanism shown, valve opening iscontrolled by air which is supplied to the actuating mechanism by anelectropneumatic valve mechanism which in turn is controlled by anelectrical impulse supplied for example by a breaker switch which rideson an adjustable cam which in turn is geared to the metal part transportdevice so as to supply compound only when a part is in position toreceive compound. Other valve actuating mechanisms may be used.

FIGURE 2 shows a modiica-tion of the nozzle which is used when no coppercontamination of the compound can be tolerated. (For example, a very fewparts per million of copper catalyze the oxidative degradation ofnatural rubber.)

All of the structure in the nozzle of FIGURE 2 remains lthe same as thatof FIGURE 1 as previously described except that the piston rod 49',instead of continuing as a single piece of the needle, ends in a liat56. Nozzle-tip 25 is bored to receive an opening spring 57 which pushesupwards against the shoulder 58 formed on the needle shaft 59. The upperend of shaft 59, after passing through a slotted guide portion 61 ofnozzle-tip 25', terminates in a hemispherical head 62, which is urged byspring 57, into constant contact with the Hat end 56 of piston rod 49.Another slotted guide, 63 adjacent the needle point 64, keeps the needlein alignment. Consequently, this valve is opened by the spring andclosed by the piston.

This version of the nozzle also has given dependable service whileoperating at the rapid opening and closing cycle necessary to applycompound to as many as 300 metal parts per minute and while revolving at3600 r.p.m.

It will be understood that a non-circular motion may be imparted tonozzle tip 55 by a suitable mechanism replacing the ball bearingsdescribed such as by providing a cam and cam follower or by offsetingthe axis of motion from axis of rotation of the bearings.

We claim:

1. A nozzle for applying predetermined quantities of lluidgasket-forming material to container closures and like parts comprisingthe combination of a stationary support, a passage for fluid in saidsupport, a valve actuating mechanism having a piston and a piston-rodmounted on and Vextending above the support, a flexible hose attached toand extending downwardly from the support having the bore of said hosemaintained in communication with said passage, a nozzle-tip attached tothe opposite end of the hose having a fluid passage communicating withsaid bore, a valve seat formed in the passage adjacent the lower end ofthe nozzle-tip, a valve needle positioned within said passage and saidbore adapted to be reciprocated by fthe piston along a path angularlydisplaced from the axis of travel of the piston and piston-rod andco-operating with the valve seat to form a fluid seal, means to maintainthe nozzle-tip angularly displaced from the vertical axis,

' and power-connected means to Cause the nozzle-tip to move in aprescribed path.

2. A nozzle adapted yfor use in ,combination with container closurelining machinery having a nutating nozzletip, means to supply fluidlining compound to said tip, and valve means to control the flow ofcompound through said nozzletip, including means to secure the nutatorymotion of said tip comprising a 'first named radial bearing having afixed outer race and a rotatable inner race, means including a drivering to rotate the inner race, a second named radial bearing havingouter and inner races, having its outer race seated in the drive ringand havingr its axis angularly disposed to the vertical axis of thefirst named bearing, the said nozzle-tip being iitted through andsupported by the inner race of said second named bearing whereby, whensaid inner race of said first named bearing is rotated, the end of saidnozzle-tip describes a circular path.

3. A nozzle according to claim il wherein the pistonrod 49, theintermediate connecting portion 51 and the valve needle 52 are combinedin a unitary structure formed of a fatigue-resistant alloy, and whereinthe intermediate connecting portion 51 possesses a sutliciently smallerdiameter than that of the piston-rod portion 49 and the needle portion52 as to be bendable and permit the reciprocation of the needle and theconsequent opening and closing of the valve in the nozzle-tip despitethe nutatory motion of the nozzle-tip.

4. A lining machine nozzle having: an angularly dis,

. posed nozzle-tip arranged to sweep about the sealing area of aclosure, a longitudinal bore terminating in a discharge orice in saidtip, a valve seat in the bore adjacent the orice, a valve needleco-operating with said seat to close the bore, a valve actuatingmechanism, and means to conduct fluid sealing compound to said bore,wherein the valve needle is formed in two parts, the first of which isattached lto the valve actuating mechanism and the second of which isslidably supported by guides in the `bore of said nozzle-tip and whereinthe nozzle-tip is provided with a spring which normally urges the secondpart of the valve needle toward an open position and wherein the upperend of the second part terminates in a hemisphere which rests -againstthe bottom of the said `first part.

5. A nozzle for container closure compound applying machines comprisinga base, a rst radial bearing having an outer race attached to said base,an inner race, means associated with the inner race to rotate said race,a second radial bearing having inner and outer races supported by thesaid means and having its axis angularly disposed to the vertical axisof the first named bearing, a nozzle tip tted through the inner race ofthe said second bearing, a valve needle cooperating with said tip andforming a needle valve, flexible conduit means to conduct compound tosaid tip and means to operate the valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS (Otherreferences on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Robins Nov. 2, i1948Stange J-an. 31, 1950 Cornelius Nov. 9, 1954 Gemeinhardt Dec. 11, 1956 5Shafer Mar. 5, 1957 Alholm et a1 Oct. 6, I1959 Neiner Dec. 1, 1959Alholm et lal. Dec. 13, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 31, 195=1

5. A NOZZLE FOR CONTAINER CLOSURE COMPOUND APPLYING MACHINES COMPRISINGA BASE, A FIRST RADIAL BEARING HAVING AN OUTER RACE ATTACHED TO SAIDBASE, AN INNER RACE, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INNER RACE TO ROTATE SAIDRACE, A SECOND RADIAL BEARING HAVING INNER AND OUTER RACES SUPPORTED BYTHE SAID MEANS AND HAVING ITS AXIS ANGULARLY DISPOSED TO THE VERTICALAXIS OF THE FIRST NAMED BEARING, A NOZZLE TIP FITTED THROUGH THE INNERRACE OF THE SAID SECOND BEARING, A VALVE NEEDLE COOPERATING WITH SAIDTIP AND FORMING A NEEDLE VALVE, FLEXIBLE CONDUIT MEANS TO CONDUCTCOMPOUND TO SAID TIP AND MEANS TO OPERATE THE VALVE.